What To Do If You’re Approached by an Off Leash Aggressive Dog

A practical safety guide for dog owners and anyone walking dogs in a city

I’m writing this after hearing about a deeply upsetting incident reported today here in Hoboken involving three off leash dogs that allegedly attacked a dog walker and one of the dogs in their care, leaving the client’s dog seriously injured and hospitalized. Situations like that hit close to home for anyone who spends time around dogs in a dense city.

They are a reminder that what people often dismiss as rare can happen quickly and without warning. This is not about panic or blame. It is about awareness, preparation, and knowing how to handle a tense moment before it turns into a dangerous one.

Read the Dog First, Not the Situation

Dogs communicate constantly through body language. The earlier you notice signals, the more options you have.

A relaxed dog moves loosely, blinks normally, and carries its weight evenly. A dog that is unsure may stiffen slightly, close its mouth, or show the whites of its eyes. A dog that may escalate often freezes, locks its stare, raises its hackles, or approaches slowly and deliberately.

One thing experience teaches quickly is that loud does not always mean dangerous, and quiet does not always mean safe. The dogs that concern experienced handlers most are often the stiff, silent ones.

Don’t Dismiss A Potential Threat Because of a Dog’s Breed

Breed stereotypes cause people to react too slowly or too casually. Many are quick to categorize a dog such as a Golden Retriever or French bulldog as friendly and harmless. Behavior depends on training, environment, stress level, health, and past experiences. Small dogs can charge and large dogs can calmly disengage. What matters is not what a dog looks like. What matters is what it is showing you right now.

If a Loose Dog Approaches

Stay calm and slow your movements. Quick reactions can trigger chase instinct.

Position your dog behind you so you act as a buffer.

Turn your body slightly sideways instead of facing the dog head on.

Back away slowly and create distance. Never run.

Running can flip a switch in many dogs that turns curiosity into pursuit.

Your Best Protection Is Distance and Deterrents

The safest outcome is always creating space before anything escalates.

Helpful emergency tools many prepared dog owners carry include:

• Pepper spray for situations where a bite seems imminent

• Air horn or personal alarm to interrupt forward momentum

• Citronella spray as a milder deterrent

You can also use everyday objects as barriers:

• Umbrella

• Stick

• Backpack

• Jacket

Anything placed between dogs can break focus and reduce tension. Distance is your biggest advantage.

Pepper spray should only be used when there is a real risk of injury and no safer option. It is a last resort safety tool, not something for minor tension.

Use Physical Barriers and Safe Spaces to Your Advantage

If a loose dog is approaching and you feel unsure about the situation, your safest move is to put a solid barrier between you and the dog as quickly and calmly as possible. Distance plus a physical obstacle can instantly defuse tension and prevent contact.

Look for nearby places you can step into or behind, such as:

• A residential gate or fenced entryway

• An apartment building vestibule or lobby

• A retail store or cafe entrance

• A parked car

• A stoop with a railing

• A fenced yard entrance

• Even stepping behind a large trash or recycling enclosure

Anything solid that blocks direct access can interrupt a dog’s forward momentum and give you time to assess and safely leave the area.

Do not feel awkward or embarrassed about stepping into a store or entryway for safety. Most people would much rather you take a second inside than risk a dog fight or injury outside. In tense moments, safety always comes before social etiquette.

The goal is simple. Create space. Create a barrier. De escalate the situation before it has a chance to escalate on its own.

Awareness Prevents Most Incidents

People who spend a lot of time around dogs develop a habit of scanning their surroundings. They watch ahead down the block, listen for barking behind fences, notice open gates, and change direction early if something looks off. They also avoid blasting music in headphones or taking phone calls while walking. Staying aware of your environment is one of the strongest safety advantages you can have. Most problems can be avoided before they ever start if you catch them early enough.

What Not To Do and Why

Do not run. Running can trigger prey drive and turn curiosity into pursuit.

Do not scream or flail. High pitched noise and erratic movement can increase arousal and escalate tension.

Do not yank your dog upward. Tight leash tension can make your dog feel trapped and defensive.

Do not stare directly into the dog’s eyes. Direct eye contact can be interpreted as a challenge.

Do not reach toward the dog’s face. Hands near a stressed dog’s head are one of the most common causes of bites.

Most bites do not happen because someone did nothing. They happen because someone reacted in a way that unintentionally escalated the moment.

If a Dog Latches On

If a dog grabs onto your dog, staying calm enough to think clearly is critical.

Do not grab collars near the mouth.

Do not put your hands between dogs.

If a dog has latched on and will not release, trained handlers sometimes use an emergency technique. This involves looping a leash around the attacking dog’s neck from behind and lifting upward to briefly restrict airflow until it releases. This is strictly a last resort method meant only to stop an active bite.

Once the dogs separate, create distance immediately.

After an Incident

Check your dog thoroughly for injuries. Even small punctures can become serious infections. Apply pressure to bleeding wounds and seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

If the other owner is present, get the following information:

• Name

• Phone number

• Proof of rabies vaccination

Document the location, time, and description of the dog. If it is safe, take a photo.

Always report bite incidents to local authorities or animal control. Reporting creates a record, helps prevent repeat incidents, and protects you legally if complications arise later. Many serious cases happen because earlier encounters were never documented.

Simple Habits That Increase Safety

Before heading out:

• Use a sturdy fixed length leash

• Make sure your dog has identification tags

• Keep your phone accessible

• Stay aware of your surroundings

Avoid retractable leashes whenever possible. They create too much distance and reduce your ability to react quickly if something unexpected happens.

Final Thought

Most tense encounters with dogs do not come down to strength. They come down to awareness, timing, and composure. The person who stays calm and observant is usually the one who keeps things from escalating.

You cannot control every dog you will encounter. But you can control how prepared you are when you do.

This article is based on the author’s real world experience and professional observations. AI tools assisted in structuring the article for readability, organization and flow.